Forms of ovules



Sefl. 19, 1967 N. JACQUIGNON FORMS OF OVULES Filed June 22, 1964 FIG 2FIG. I

United States Patent 3,342,181 FORMS OF OVULES Norbert Jacquignon,Paris, France, assignor to Charles Albert Merminod, Paris, France FiledJune 22, 1964, Ser. No. 376,690 Claims priority, application France,June 25, 1963, 939,326, Patent 1,407,659 3 Claims. (Cl. 128-260) Thepresent invention relates to ovules, that is to say pharmaceuticalpreparations intended to be used by placing in position in the vagina ofthe patient, and more particularly to the shape of the said ovules,irrespective of the substances of which they are constituted.

Up to the present time, ovules have been delivered in full, transverselyrounded, more or less longitudinally oval shapes from which their nameof ovules is derived. These shapes often render their utilizationdifficult for the operator and/ or painful for the patient.

In addition, in the case of gynecological lesions Which justify atreatment by ovules, these lesions are usually situated at the top ofthe vagina, at the level of the uterine cervex. Now, the ovules whichare actually in use are not at all convenient to apply, so that in themajority of cases the patient leaves the ovule in the centre or in thelower third of the vaginal duct, which has the result of depriving thetreatment of all or part of its therapeutic value.

The invention has for its object to obviate these disadvantages.

The invention has therefore for its object an ovule having a shape suchas to facilitate placing it in its therapeutic position in the vagina.

The invention has also for its object an ovule having a shape whichpermits it to be easily placed in the therapeutic position by thepatient herself.

The invention has finally for its object an ovule having a shape whichpermits it to be easily placed in the therapeutic position, even by thepatient herself, even 'when the said therapeutic position is at the topof the vagina, at the level of the uterine cervix.

In its widest aspect, the invention contemplates giving the ovule ageneral shape comprising a depression which fits more or less completelyon the end of a finger of the operator or the patient.

This depression enables the ovule to be easily taken from its packingbox, to be readily handled, and the finger with the ovule fitted over itis easily and conveniently introduced into the vagina up to theprescribed therapeutic position at which the finger must leave theovule.

In the case of gynecological lesions, the ovule according to theinvention is in the form of a glove finger which can easily be guideduntil it comes into contact with the uterine cervix, by the finger onwhich it is introduced.

The invention has for its further object an ovule, the arrangement ofwhich permits the finger to leave the ovule readily in its therapeuticposition.

These arrangements of the ovule according to the invention may apply tothe exterior shape, which may be more or less flared in order tofacilitate the retention of the ovule in and by the vagina, and/ orwhich may comprise for the same purpose, a head in the form of a cuppinglass. g These arrangements of the ovule acording to the invention may beapplied to the outer walls, which may be striated, once more in order tofacilitate the retention of the ovule in and by the vagina.

These arrangements of the ovule according to the invention may beapplied to the inner walls, which may be fluted longitudinally in orderto facilitate releasing the ovule in its position by the finger, byreducing the surface of contact of the ovule with the finger andpermitting air to pass along the finger towards the bottom of thedepression of the ovule.

These arrangements of the ovule according to the invention may comprisean orifice in the head of the ovule and opening into the bottom of thedepression in the ovule, leaving air to pass when the ovule is left inposition, and furthermore increasing the rapidity of disintegration ofthe ovule, as will be explained later.

In view of the above-mentioned objects, and still further objects, theinvention consists of new shapes of ovules and eventually of the newarrangements described and claimed below, it being understood thatmodifications of the particular applications described below may beeffected within the scope of the claims without departing from theinvention.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in thedescription which follows below, considergd with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in whic FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of anovule which is shown in longitudinal section in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 gives a perspective view of another ovule in the form of a smallbell, which is represented in FIG. 4 in transverse section taken along.the line IV-IV of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows an axial cross-section of a further form of an ovulefitting over the finger of the operator or the patient.

FIG. 6 represents in axial cross-section a further arrangement of anovule which fits over the finger of the operator or the patient.

FIG. 7 shows a further ovule in the shape of a glove finger which isshown in axial section in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are transverse sections showing certain adaptations ofthe ovule shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 11 is an axial cross-section of a still further form of ovule.

Referring now to FIG. 1, which is a perspective view, and to FIG. 2which is a longitudinal section, the ovules 1 according to the inventionare generally characterized in that they comprise a depression 2intended to fit over the extremity of a finger, enabling them to behandled, to be directed and deposited easily in the desired positions inthe vagina.

These depressions may have very varied curvatures and parts in relief soas to ensure good coaptation of the finger and an easy Withdrawal ofthis latter. As regards the external surfaces of the ovules, they may begiven any shapes which are deemed suitable.

FIGS. 1 and 2 represent more particularly a gynecological ovule which ishollowed out in the same way as a sewing thimble, and the internalwalls: of the depression 2 are smooth. This form would be moreparticularly recommended for hard ovules produced by stamping undercompression.

In accordance with a further application of the inven: tion, the ovule 1has been given the external appearance of a small bell (FIGS. 3 and 4)in which the free edge, slightly flared at 4 facilitates its retentionin the vagina. The depression or housing 2 of this ovule may be providedwith longitudinal flutes 5 intended to leave a passage for the air so asto facilitate the withdrawal of the finger. This form would be moreparticularly recommended for soft ovules produced by moulding.

In accordance with still another application of the invention shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the bottom of the depression 2 has a convex portion 6surrounded by a circular groove 7 serving as a housing to receive thenail 8 of the finger 3. This convex portion may be pierced at 9 so as topermit easy withdrawal of the finger while leaving the ovule in thetherapeutic position. In addition, the orifice 9 has the furtheradvantage of permitting the rapid passage of vaginal secretions to theinterior of the cavity, and by this fact of accelerating thedisintegration of the ovule.

In accordance with a further application of the invention shown in FIGS.7 and 8, the ovule 1 is given the shape of a glove finger, the internalcavity 2 of which permits the introduction of the finger in order thatthis latter, fitting perfectly in the ovule, may guide the latter easilyup to the end of the vaginal duct.

The ovule may be given any dimensions considered suitable, and thethickness of the head 10 (see FIG. 8) may vary according to the quantityof medicinal products which it is desired to introduce.

In order to facilitate the removal of the finger when the ovule has beenput into position, it is preferable in this case that the ovule shouldbe provided with a hole 9 which will permit the passage of air, sinceotherwise a depression would be produced which might be sufiicient toprevent the finger from being withdrawn from the ovule.

The entry of air could also be obtained, as already stated, by means oflongitudinal flutings (see FIGS. 9 and 10) formed in the face of thecavity 2 in order that the finger is only in contact with portions ofthis face, of which the FIGS. 9 and 10 are two examples of construction(the finger 3 being shown in chain-dotted lines).

In accordance with still a further application of the invention shown inFIG. 11, the cavity 2 of the ovule is provided, as previously described,with a small circular groove 7 formed in the bottom of the said cavity.This groove is provided so as to receive the nail 8 of the finger 3. Aconvex portion 11 which comes into contact with the end of the fingerpermits the ovule to be pushed normally without damaging it.

In order to facilitate the retention of the ovule on the utero-vaginalmucous membrane, it may be given an external shape in conformity withthe treatment considered. It may for example, as already stated, havethe shape of a hell with a flared edge, with smooth or striated Walls,and it may also be provided with a head in the form of a cupping-glass,etc.

As the speed of disintegration of the ovule is a function of itssurface, this ovule with a large surface area will be of special value,especially for certain types of ovules, the disintegration of which isgenerally slow and sometimes causes local irritation.

It is obvious that the ovules described and shown have only been givenby way of examples and without any limitation, and that allmodifications of form and detail may be made to them without therebydeparting from the scope of the invention. As will be readily understoodby those skilled in the art, such modifications and other combinationsof the various arrangements described above, are considered as fallingwithin the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An ovule comprising a one-piece member hollowed out to form adepression contoured to fit over the extremity of the finger of the userduring the placing of said ovule in its therapeutic position, said ovulebeing c0nfigured to a shape similar to that of a sewing thimbleincluding a head portion, internal and external walls, having a freeedge, the free edge of said ovule being slightly flared, the externalwall of the ovule being striated, the head of the ovule being piercedwith at least one orifice opening into said depression, said internalwall of said depression being provided with longitudinal flutings.

2. An ovule comprising a one-piece member hollowed out to form adepression contoured to fit over the extremity of the finger of the userduring the placing of the ovule in its therapeutic position, said ovulehaving the shape of a glove finger and including internal and outerwalls having a free edge, said free edge of the ovule being slightlyflared, the ovule having the shape of a glove finger, the outer walls ofthe ovule being striated, the head of the ovule being pierced with atleast one orifice opening itno said depression, the internal wall ofsaid depression being provided with longitudinal flutings.

3. An ovule comprising a one-piece member hollowed out to .form adepression contoured to fit over the extremity of the finger of the userduring the placing of said ovule in its therapeutic position, said ovulebeing in the shape of a glove finger, having a closed end portion andinternal and outer walls and an edge portion, the edge of the ovulebeing slightly flared, the outer Walls of said ovule being striated, theinternal walls of the depression being provided with longitudinalflutings, said closed end portion of said member having a convex portionand a circular groove surrounding said convex portion adapted to receivethe nail of the user.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 21,943 11/1941 Munro 1282713,054,403 9/1962 Baker 128-27O 3,170,464 2/1965 Forti et al 128--271FOREIGN PATENTS 479 1/ 1888 Great Britain.

ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner.

1. AN OVULE COMPRISING A ONE-PIECE MEMBER HOLLOWED OUT TO FORM ADEPRESSION CONTOURED TO FIT OVER THE EXTREMITY OF THE FINGER OF THE USERDURING THE PLACING OF SAID OVULE IN ITS THERAPEUTIC POSITION, SAID OVULEBEING CONFIGURED TO A SHAPE SIMILAR TO THAT OF A SEWING THIMBLEINCLUDING A HEAD PORTION, INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WALLS, HAVING A FREEEDGE, THE FREE EDGE OF SAID OVULE BEING SLIGHTLY FLARED, THE EXTERNALWALL OF THE OVULE BEING STRIATED, THE HEAD OF THE OVULE BEING PIERCEDWITH AT LEAST ONE ORIFICE OPENING INTO SAID DEPRESSION, SAID INTERNALWALL OF SAID DEPRESSION BEING PROVIDED WITH LONGITUDINAL FLUTINGS.